School History

School History

Kuwait National English School is a private co-educational non-profit making organisation, offering classes from Charlotte Pre-School, KG up to the entrance to university with IGCSE, GCSE, GCE and IAS and IAL.

Kuwait National English School follows the New National Curriculum from UK and is an approved Centre of Examination since 1996 from the UK.

KNES is an accredited member of the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) and KNES is also proud to be a BSO school (British School Overseas) recognised by the Department for Education of UK.

Besides, KNES is fully accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and by NEASC (North England Association of Schools and Colleges) and passed recently its cycle of 10 years’ reaccreditation.

The school is recognised by the Ministry of Education in Kuwait and the Special Needs Department is also approved by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Authority for the Disabled.

KNES takes a pride in being the only British School in Kuwait to be a member of the Associated Schools Projects UNESCO whose aims fall in line with KNES school philosophy and mission statement with regards to Tolerance, Respect for Diversity, Equal Rights, Cooperation and Protection of our Earth Home.

Originally the school opened its doors in 1991and was origianally located in Surra, a residential area, and then moved in September 1995 to larger premises located in central Hawally, which have been totally renovated with all facilities. Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to Kuwait at that time, His Excellency, Sir. William H. Fullerton officially opened the new premises on the 10th June 1995.
The School theatre was named Al Farabi theatre to pay homage to the famous scientist, philosopher, writer, poet of the 10th century Arab World.
The school had the privilege to be visited for two days at the end of May 1998 by Mr. Symonides, Director of the Division of Human Rights, Democracy and Peace UNESCO Paris while we are teaching Human Rights within the School, as 1995 -2004 was the United Nations world decade for Human Rights Education. On this occasion, KNES celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 24th May 1998. This remains an important date in the school’s history. The school has had many delgates of UNESCO visiting our school over the years and we are proud to be a participating member.

The school is always seeking ways of improving teaching and learning, renovating facilities and expanding its premises. Continuous renovations are ongoing and further expansion are planned.

The actual facilities include excellent sports facilities which are a full-size gymnasium, an Olympic style indoor swimming pool and a covered international size basketball area. The Omar Science and Technology Centre has been recently renovated as well as classes for Performing Arts (Music and Art). To improve the learning environment, WIFI connections are existing as well as smartboards in all classes throughout the school and all laboratories. Students and staff have access to VLE with a wide range of support for teaching and learning.

The Early Years Department with its extension of Charlotte Preschool named after the late Patron of the Department has a lovely garden and a separate entrance and a covered separate safe playground.

The school campus itself has also three large playgrounds with covered areas, a large theatre and a canteen for pupils and staff called Gourmet Corner, and a well-resourced Media Centre.

We are proud of the comments made by all the Accreditation and Inspection Teams on the performance of the school and the efforts made on continuous improvements towards excellence.